Quartz Countertops: What to Know Before You Buy

   Quartz Counters Solid Surface Counters Stone byproducts or similar 93-percent 66-percent Binders 7-percent 33-percent TOTAL 100-percent 100-percent

Even if you are not familiar with quartz as a name for this material, you may be familiar with its more prosaic name: engineered stone counters. 

In simple terms, quartz counters are 93-percent made up of stone-like materials and 7-percent of binders that are either plastic-like (polymeric) or cement-based. Of those stone-like materials, quartz is only one of many substances.

These stone-like materials provide quartz counters with the solidity, durability, and lack of porosity needed for the heavy demands of cooking. Some manufacturers also combine antibacterial substances to help keep the counters cleaner and more hygienic.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Attractive appearance: For many buyers, the chief benefit of the quartz countertop is its natural luster. Unlike laminate, quartz has a deep, almost three-dimensional appearance, much like natural stone. While quartz and solid surface look similar, solid surface tends to have a slightly more dull appearance than quartz and doesn't have as much of quartz's 3D quality.
• Hardness: Quartz is extremely hard and makes for a good work surface. It is largely composed of minerals (contrasted with solid surface counters which are about 33-percent inorganic binding resins and 66-percent natural minerals). Laminate in no way rivals quartz in this area, because of laminate's particleboard wood base layer, which gives it a hollow feeling.
• Few imperfections: Slab granite is a natural product, taken straight from the earth and sliced into sheets, so it is expected that the slab will have imperfections. Installers have an easier time dealing with quartz than they do with granite because it is a predictable material and produces less waste product. Any imperfections in quartz would have occurred during the manufacturing process.

Cons

• Cost: Cost is the greatest hindrance to installing quartz counters in your home. At its very lowest, quartz counter materials start at $50 and $75 per square foot but can rise as high as $200 per square foot.
• Heat deformation: Though quartz is a very hard, majority-mineral product, it still can scorch or deform if subjected to extremely high temperatures.
• Professional installation, not DIY: While it's debatable if DIYers can install some types of countertops, there is no debate with quartz materials. Do-it-yourselfers rarely, if ever, install their own quartz countertops.

Quartz Countertops vs. Other Countertop Materials

Quartz's closest rival is solid surface countertop material, as both employ stone-like materials. Quartz is not to be confused with laminate, a material mainly composed of paper and plastic and applied to a particleboard base.

For a similar look but at lower prices, try solid surface. One benefit of solid surface over quartz countertops is that minor scratches in solid surface can be sanded out. Some homeowners like the softer feel of solid surface, too. Solid surface can be fabricated to a matte texture, if desired.

Tip

The Italian company Breton patented the process of forming solid surfaces from quartz and resins. All quartz counter brands emanate from this single company. This single company was started by one man, Marcello Toncelli. His company's name, Brevetti Toncelli (roughly meaning Toncelli Patents), was condensed to Breton (Bre = Brevetti, Ton=Toncelli).

Quartz Countertop Appearance

Since quartz countertops are engineered, almost any type of color can be brought out on the surface by means of pigmentation. Not only that but other types of materials such as stone and glass can be incorporated into this quartz-resin slurry.

Other materials found in quartz countertops include granite, marble and natural stone in general. These materials come from either crushed waste stone from quarries or recycled industrial waste. Waste includes fragments of ceramic, silica, glass, mirrors, or more.

Cost of Quartz Countertops

Quartz counters are rarely inexpensive, even compared to other high-cost alternatives such as natural slab granite. Expect prices to begin at $50 and $75 per square foot, with some costs rising up to $200 per square foot.

Though quartz countertops have a higher upfront cost, this cost is usually balanced out by quartz's tendency to last for years longer than other countertop materials and with fewer maintenance issues.

Quartz countertops consistently bring in high resale values. Quartz countertops are valued by homebuyers, and they are generally considered to be a plus in any kitchen or bathroom.

Quartz Countertop Brands

Numerous companies such as Cosentino (Silestone), DuPont, Cambria, and others used Breton’s patent for their own type of quartz countertops. For example, DuPont's version of the quartz countertop is called Corian Quartz (formerly Zodiaq). Silestone's quartz is simply Silestone (since this is their flagship product).

• Cambria
• Caesarstone
• Dupont Zodiaq
• Silestone
  

Should You Buy a Quartz Countertop?

For anyone who wants a granite countertop, it is worth investigating quartz counters as an alternative. Quartz has as much of an attractive chaotic appearance as does natural stone, but without stone's physical unpredictability.

Few imperfections in quartz materials show because its manufacture is controlled. When natural stone has imperfections, the stone is either culled out or the imperfections are filled in. Because quartz counters are made from a slurry of materials, natural imperfections are engineered out.

As a more premium product than solid surface, quartz material is considered a step up in furnishing your kitchen or bathroom.